It was early in the morning, and Obi-Wan was hard at work. He was going over Anakin's program for the day's activities, trying to see how he could fit that with the diplomatic meeting he was to attend with the Wookie and Calamarian senators. Without warning, Yoda entered the apartment and tapped his gimer stick on the floor. Obi-Wan looked up in surprise.
"You wish to meet with me, Master Yoda?"
"Obi-Wan, two years it has been since Master Qui-Gon was lost to us. In that time, you have worked very hard with your Padawan learner, and pursuing your assignments. An excellent Jedi have you become. But been neglecting other areas of your life, you have. The time has come to address that. Giving you leave from your duties here for a month, I am. Go to Naboo, rest and meditate there. You will find what you need to do." Yoda turned to leave the quarters.
Obi-Wan got up with a start. "But Master, this is a terrible time to leave. I've just gotten Anakin started with a new program, he needs looking after. There are all these meetings scheduled, I can't just go like that!"
Yoda stopped, turned around, and sighed. In that soft and serious tone he used with his most trusted students, he said,"Obi-Wan, many times have we talked in the years since Qui-Gon departed. Much you are still holding in. Continue, this cannot. I will ensure Skywalker will be cared for. For your sake, his, and the sake of others, this is necessary."
All Obi-Wan could do was bow. "Yes Master."
Obi-wan was totally unprepared for the orders. Yoda usually did things by the book and the unconventional meeting was just not his style. He turned back to the terminal, checked his schedule and found it had been changed. He was to leave for Naboo that afternoon.
After packing, he went to Anakin between the boy's classes to let him know he would be gone.
"We get to go to Naboo," the boy exclaimed.
Obi-Wan sagged slightly. He really didn't want to disappoint his Padawan. "I'm sorry, Ani. I'm going alone this time. Master Yoda has made arrangements for your care while you stay here. Perhaps next time. Is there anything I can bring to the Queen for you?"
Anakin's face showed his letdown. "Yes, I have a package I've started putting together. It's got a couple of little things for one of my other friends too. Her name is Sabé. Amidala will know her."
Obi-Wan was puzzled. "I didn't know you knew one of the handmaidens that well."
Anakin raised an eyebrow, and smiled slightly. "She was kind to me. I've lost touch with her, and I should make up for that."
"I'll deliver the package for you. Take care Ani, and mind your lessons. I'll touch base with you when I settle in," Obi-Wan told him as they parted.
While on the transport enroute, Obi-Wan had time to reflect on what had led him here. Against his will, a scene started playing out in his mind. He was running down that hall, blocked by the force fields, they opened, he was almost there, so close, the last field the only obstacle. He was watching the Sith and Qui-Gon....
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. Concentrating, he willed the memory away. He would not, could not, think of it-his loss, his weakness, his failure. No one must know, and if he thought of it, everyone would surely see.
There was one who had seen, with her eyes and through a bond, his greatest mistake. He had shut her out, hoping that it would shorten the time it took for the event pass from his consciousness. Yes, he had avoided even remembering her.
But then again, he speculated, what was there to remember? She was just another young woman, another short-lived relationship that served for the moment they were in. It's not like she was special or anything...
...Was she?
Of course not, he justified to himself. Sure, the sex had been great, once he taught her some basics. The last time they were together came to mind. It started as a pleasant recollection, a warm feeling spread over his body. He allowed that to play to the end, glad that others on the transport were asleep and could not see his face. But then he came to the part where she had made one simple request of him, something that even a cur of a man could have followed through and done.
That was another misstep-a promise had been made, but not kept. The sense of shame returned
Now he had to go back to where these events took place and deal with them. He found this line of thought made him squirm, so he began reading for distraction.
"You wish to meet with me, Master Yoda?"
"Obi-Wan, two years it has been since Master Qui-Gon was lost to us. In that time, you have worked very hard with your Padawan learner, and pursuing your assignments. An excellent Jedi have you become. But been neglecting other areas of your life, you have. The time has come to address that. Giving you leave from your duties here for a month, I am. Go to Naboo, rest and meditate there. You will find what you need to do." Yoda turned to leave the quarters.
Obi-Wan got up with a start. "But Master, this is a terrible time to leave. I've just gotten Anakin started with a new program, he needs looking after. There are all these meetings scheduled, I can't just go like that!"
Yoda stopped, turned around, and sighed. In that soft and serious tone he used with his most trusted students, he said,"Obi-Wan, many times have we talked in the years since Qui-Gon departed. Much you are still holding in. Continue, this cannot. I will ensure Skywalker will be cared for. For your sake, his, and the sake of others, this is necessary."
All Obi-Wan could do was bow. "Yes Master."
Obi-wan was totally unprepared for the orders. Yoda usually did things by the book and the unconventional meeting was just not his style. He turned back to the terminal, checked his schedule and found it had been changed. He was to leave for Naboo that afternoon.
After packing, he went to Anakin between the boy's classes to let him know he would be gone.
"We get to go to Naboo," the boy exclaimed.
Obi-Wan sagged slightly. He really didn't want to disappoint his Padawan. "I'm sorry, Ani. I'm going alone this time. Master Yoda has made arrangements for your care while you stay here. Perhaps next time. Is there anything I can bring to the Queen for you?"
Anakin's face showed his letdown. "Yes, I have a package I've started putting together. It's got a couple of little things for one of my other friends too. Her name is Sabé. Amidala will know her."
Obi-Wan was puzzled. "I didn't know you knew one of the handmaidens that well."
Anakin raised an eyebrow, and smiled slightly. "She was kind to me. I've lost touch with her, and I should make up for that."
"I'll deliver the package for you. Take care Ani, and mind your lessons. I'll touch base with you when I settle in," Obi-Wan told him as they parted.
While on the transport enroute, Obi-Wan had time to reflect on what had led him here. Against his will, a scene started playing out in his mind. He was running down that hall, blocked by the force fields, they opened, he was almost there, so close, the last field the only obstacle. He was watching the Sith and Qui-Gon....
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. Concentrating, he willed the memory away. He would not, could not, think of it-his loss, his weakness, his failure. No one must know, and if he thought of it, everyone would surely see.
There was one who had seen, with her eyes and through a bond, his greatest mistake. He had shut her out, hoping that it would shorten the time it took for the event pass from his consciousness. Yes, he had avoided even remembering her.
But then again, he speculated, what was there to remember? She was just another young woman, another short-lived relationship that served for the moment they were in. It's not like she was special or anything...
...Was she?
Of course not, he justified to himself. Sure, the sex had been great, once he taught her some basics. The last time they were together came to mind. It started as a pleasant recollection, a warm feeling spread over his body. He allowed that to play to the end, glad that others on the transport were asleep and could not see his face. But then he came to the part where she had made one simple request of him, something that even a cur of a man could have followed through and done.
That was another misstep-a promise had been made, but not kept. The sense of shame returned
Now he had to go back to where these events took place and deal with them. He found this line of thought made him squirm, so he began reading for distraction.